The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-01-21

S"h h''s ili toCSi tSN ms 10 loVt
HIM. Ii | marry INN can bo II true
wife to him. and nobody will know that
Paul has jited me. v
The decision was made. Her cheeks
were asny pale as she looked up.
straight into his eyes, and answered
quietly. .'Yes. | will be your wife.
Her parent, were pleased that she
was chosen by SO weil-io-do young
man; so it was all settled and They
were married tilai same summer. Peo-
pie thought she sobred down wonder
fully; more than that, nothing was
SAIL that would lead any one 10 sup
pose any change had taken place.
Yes. she was sobered down. She
dared not think of Paul. There was no
hope ahead. Life was q time to be
filled up with something, SO that she
might not think of herself John was
always kind, but she got SO wearlcd of
his talk of stock and crops and said TO
herself, II must work harder-plan
and fuss and hustle about us other
women do, so that l may forget and
grow like John"
Two years went swiftly by. A baby
slept in the little cradle; and Martha
nobody called her Matte but Paul-sat
rocking it with her foot rs she knitted n
blue WOODEN sto king for the baby's
father. There was 4 knock ut the half
opened door
II have got into tho wrong road; will
you be kind enough to direct me tho
nearest way to the villagep" said q
voice, and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required di-
rection, but stopped short, while he
came quickly forward.
''Paul!'
'.Mattier'
His face lighted up and he reached
out his arms to draw her near him.
With a surprised. painful look, she
drew back.
Mr. Gardner, tins is a most uncx.
pocted meeting"
Mr. Gardner?' he repeated. ''Mat-
tic, what do you mean?"
Don't call me Matte. if you please"
she replied. with dignity. My name
is Phillips"
'Philllps?" he echoed. '.Are you
marricd?"
These are strange words for you,
Paul Gardner; did you think / was
waiting all this time for another wom-
ans husband?-that was keeping my
faith with one who played me false so
soonp"
Played you false! | have not L
am come as promised you. The two
years arc but lust past. and am here
to claim you. Why do you greet me
thusp Are YOU indeed married, Matte
Gray?"
She was trembling like an aspen
leaf. For answer she turned and
pointed to the cradle. He came and
stood before her. with white face and
folded arms.
''Tell me why you did this! Didn't
you love me well enough TO wait for
mc?'
She went and unlocked drawer and
took out II newspaper. Unfolding it.
and finding the place, she pointed to
it with her finger, and he read the mar
riage notice.
.'What of thisp" he asked. rs he met
her questioning, reproachful look. 20.
Matte! you thought it meant me. 1t
is my cousin. am not married; nor
in love with any one but you.'
"Are you telling the truth?" she
asked, in an eager, husky voice.
And then, rs he replied. at is true"
she gave a low groan and sank down
into chair.
20, Paul, forgive mc II nearly broke
my heart! / didn't know that you had
Il cousin by the same name. | ought
not to have doubted you; but twas
there in black and whitc--and this
man. my husband, came, and ! married
him.
With bitter Tears. she told how it all
happened. With clinched hands ho
walked to and fro, then stopped beside
the cradle, and bent over the sleeping
child. Lower he bent. till his lips
touched its wee forehead. while he
murmured softly to himself, "Mattic's
baby
Then he turned, and, knecling be.
fore her, said, in low voice: IL for
give YOU, Matte; be as happy as you
can" lie took both her hands in his,
and looked steadily, lovingly, into her
face. His lips twitchcd convulsively as
he rose to his feet IL have no right
herc-y are another mans wife.
Good-by-:.God bless your
He turned, as lie went out of the
door. and saw her standing there in tho
middle OF the room, with arms out
stretched. He went back, and putting
his arms around her, pressed one kiss
on ier cheek. then left the house, never
looking back.
And She went down on her knees be-
side her sleeping baby and prayed for
strength TO bear her great trial. They
never saw one another again.
Seventy years old! Her stalwart sons
and brigll-cycd daughters remember
her as u loving and devoted mother,
her gray-haircd husband us II most
faithful wife.
Never was Il woman more patient
and kind, ana us good housewife rs
ever was" he said, rs he brushed the
n. l. Ii 4 n